Inflatable suit



Nov. 5, 1946.' R s COLLY ET AL 2,410,632

INPLATABLE SUIT Filed Aug. 3,4943 4 sheets-sheet 1` .Russe/7 5 'Engg/'- faena/ .F'Kunw Nv.5,1946. R. s. COLLEY mL 410,632

INFLATALE SUIT Filed Aug. 3,19743 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N0v.5,1946. -RSCOLLEY ETAL, 2,410,632

INFLATABIKJE SUIT 90 Filed Aug. 3, 1943 4 Shets-Sheet 3 Nov. 5, 1946.. R. s. coLLEY Erm. 2,410,532

INFLATABLE SUIT Filed Aug. 3, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l, vll/771111111 A-Pt'lt-e1itedNov. 15, 1.946

UNITED- STATES PATENT 'OF/FICE? INFLATABLE sUrr Russell S. Colley, Kent, Carroll P. Krupp, Akron, and Donald H. Shook, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, assignorsto The B. F. Goodrich Company, New York, Ni Y., a-corporation of New York Application August 3, 1943. serial No.r 497.182

13 Claims. (CL2-2.1)

This invention relates to inflatable suits and especially to suits for use at high altitudes where the air density and pressure are low. Flight at high altitudes has many advantages for civil and military aviation, but such flight has been limited heretofore in part by physiological problems, for example aero-embolism, for the crews and passengers.. A suitable inflatable suit offers a solution of these problems and the requirementsof such a. suit are primarily concerned with the physiological'factors involved and Ways fr protecting the wearer against the harmful effectsof such factors.

In the construction of inflatable suits for this purpose considerable dimculty has been encountered in providing effective joints giving'the desired degree offreedom and flexibility of movement by the wearer, which dlfllculty has arisen through the inherent rigidity of the hollow portions comprising the suit, which rigidity is caused by surface tension stresses established as a result of the inflation pressure therein.

An object of this invention is to provide a compact, light-weightinflatable suit of flexible Wall material having movable joints of a construction whereby extensive freedom of movement may be had by the wearer notwithstanding the stiif'ening of the walls by their distension from an internal pressure which exceeds that of the outer atmosphere. Another object of the invention is to pro"ide joint constructions suitable for an inflatable s uit whereby a maximum degree of -free movement of adjacent portions of the suit may be obtained with a minimum of effort. A

further object is to provide a flexible joint for a v limb covering which provides for extensive ilexible movement of the limb by virtue of flexure of the joint over a substantial extent of the limb covering as distinguished from localized ilexure. A still further object is to provide for great freedom of movement at the region vof the hip of the wearer while preventing undue bulging of the wall Vof the inflatable suit at the region of the hip to facilitate sitting, standing, walking and bending actions.

More specific objects are to provide for detachably engaging the flexible joint with an adjacent part of the suit while' providingfor relative rotating movement between ythe joint and the adjacent part, to provide a joint fordetachably connecting adjacent parts of the suit which joint is-capable of withstanding internal pressure with wholly none or only negligible air leakage, and to provide a joint for' substantially unrestricted 2 and full-circle turning or rotating movement of adjacent portions of the suit.

These. and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following 45 description and the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate `like parts throughout the same.

Fig. 1 4is a side view in elevation of an inflatable suit including flexible joints constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention. 4 Fig. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the flexible joint for a limb covering.

Fig. 3 is a front view in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement of the flexible- .joint shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view in an enlarged scaletaken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2. r Fig. 5fisa plan view` of a fabric strip in a attened condition which may be arranged for providing bulges in opposite portions of the flexible joint shown in Fig. 2.

' Fig. 6 is a sectional view in perspective of the regionat 6 in Fig. 2 and showing longitudinal and circumferentially extending restraining elements,

parts being broken away.

Fig. I is a side elevation of another embodiment of -the flexible joint. v

Fig. 8 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale taken along line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 -is a sectional. view in an enlarged scale taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an enlarged ,side view of the region at il! in Fig. 7, parts being broken away. l Fig. 11 is a front View in elevation of the inflatable suit showing a, hip covering arrangement, parts being broken away.

Fig. l2 is a sideview of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line l-l3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line ifi-ld oi Fis. 1.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line iS-I of Fig. l.. 415 An inflatable suit should possess desirably certain characteristics and be capable of performing certain functions as described more fully hereinafter for meeting thev requirements of extended and safe service at high altitudes. Such service may be exemplified vby an operators manipulation of the controls and accessories of a military airplanefor example, wherein-extensive freedom and flexibility of movement is desirable and wherein .undue bulkinessof the suit is objectiona-ble since the space within the operating commiam pari-.ment is generally of limited extent, and also by such actions as sitting, standing, bending, and reaching. j y

The. phenomenon that an inflatable tubular element possesses great inherent rigidity due to sur- -face tension stresses and strongly resists bending and fiexure thereof, has made ditilcult the successful solution of the problem of providing suitable joints for the inated suit for obtaining maximum freedom ofmovement with minimum .human energy expenditure.

wearer when the inflatable suit is under an appreciable internal pressure. All seams and joints of the exible wall material andyall other joints and connector structures connecting the several i parts of` the suit are sealed to prevent air leakage 'and to withstand the internal vpressure t Aviation type boots 33 and 34 may be worny overv I. the foot covering extensions of` the leg portions Our invention provides means for obtaining the desired extensive freedom and flexibility of movesuit for .providing relative full-circle rotating movement between the torso and the limb covering. Further, the invention provides for an ef-4 fective construction of the inilatable suit at the regionof the hips of the wearer. whereby free flexible movement between the respective leg coverings and the torso covering may be obtained without undue bulging and fiexure of the torso covering especially at the front wall thereof.

`In many actions of the wearer, as when he stoops to pick up an-object, most if not all these movements of the suit are required simultaneously land in combination.

I It is desirable that pressure within the suit be maintained at a value` such. thatthe pressure upon the enclosed body -of the wearer will correspond to an atmospheric pressure existing at some more desirable lower altitude. so that the objectionable internal air including exhaled air may be ex-` to'protect the yvearers feet against the extreme coldof high altitudes. A head piece. or helmet 35 of suitable shape, having provision for vision,l

is attached in a detachable manner to the torso portion 2i at the'regionof the neck of the wearer to complete the enclosure of the wearer's body.

Air, oxygen and electrical conductors are admitted into the suit from the flexible hose 35 through a suitable detachable connection 31, the hose 36 being in communication with suitable sources of supply in the aircraft. Thus air for pressurizing the interior of 'the suit, oxygen for.

breathing by means. of a face mask 38, and elec- ,trical services for'an intercommunication means including a-radio arrangement having earphones 39 and a throat microphone'iiil, and for electrically heated underclothing aepprovided. The

hausted to the atmosphere in any suitable manner such, for example, as through a valve member (not shown) which may be disposed at any suitable location on the suit and preferably at the region of the knee.

The flexible joint shown in bulges, and therefore the lengthofthe joint, however, being altered to suit the particular application. As noted above, if the limb covering for the arm or leg were provided simply as a tube of flexible material the 'stiness of such tube resulting from ination would render bending,

physiological effects on the wearer, as noted hereinabove,k are avoided. In view of this the suit including the joints should function satisfactorily In the .illustrative embodiment of the inventionY as shown inV Figs. 1 to 6 and 11 to 15, provision is made for 'attaining these and other ends.. Fig. 1

` shows an inflatable-:suit 20 including joints permitting extensive' freedom of movement by the wearer notwithstanding the stiffenlng of wall portions of the suit due to an internal pressure exceeding the outer pressure. The suit 20 includes a torso covering or portion 2i having an aperture at the neck and desirablyan elongated opening for admitting'the body of the wearer, arm coverings or portions 22 and 23 and leg coverings or portions 24 and 25 which may have'air-tight foot covering extensions. The walls of these portions Y are made desirably from a suitable `substantially impervious flexible wall material preferably of square-woven fabric having a resilient rubber impregnation or coating and which permits some give or distortion under twisting stresses which give is beneficial especially in the limb coverings. The suit also includesa rotatable connector 26 at each shoulder, flexible joints 2l and 28 at the region of the elbows of the wearer.' flexible joints 29, 30 at the region of the knees of the wearer and hip covering arrangements Si and 32 at the region of the hips of provide for movably attaching the several portions or parts of the suit and permitting extensive as at the knee or elbow, exceedingly diicult even though the flexibility of the material permits some beneficial give or distortion under twisting stresses.` Accordingly, the invention provides several -constructional features cooperating in producing the result of maximum ease of flexure throughout a wide'range. The stiffness and resistance to bending existing in the iniiated ilexible covering may be overcome in part by changing the shape of the covering at the joint, such, for example, as by providing a series of outwardly bulged portions in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement so that the continuity of covering stiffness is interrupted throughout a substantial extent thereof. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the exible joint provides this result whereby adiacent portions or parts of the arm coverings 22 and 23 and the leg coverings 213 and 25, themselves possessing considerable stiffness against bending by virtue of their inated condition. are permitted to tilt with relation to the bulged portions of the flexible joint somewhat in the manregion ofthe innertube where the stem joins it despite the inflated condition of the tube.

the wearer all of which The flexible joints 2l, 2%', 2! and Sii each com-l prise a series of outwardly bulged portions forfacilitating extensive and free flexible movement ci thelimb coverings at the region of the elbow and the knee. The fiexible joint may have, for example, four bulged portions for the elbow joint and ve bulged portions for the knee joint as and substantially free flexible movement by the -v Figs. 2 tot, inclusive, may be used, for example, as an elbow joint 21, 28 or as a knee joint 29, 3D, the number of .:connected by sidewall I sidewall portions, as shown in the drawings, .exf `tend longitudinally between the front shown in Fig. 1, or may have eight bulged portions l 4 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,-or`may have ten bulged portions as shown in Fig. 7, the number ofA such 1 portions comprising the series being such as to such that the substantially circumferentially extending threads are in a substantially stretched condition while the substantially longitudinally extending threads have a lesser extent of stretch i for providing longitudinal give to the wall of the joint and restraining circumferential give of said wall under ilexure ofthe joint. The flexible material has substantial fullness at spaced-apart positions along the tubular member in opposite front and back portions in the direction of forward and rearward swinging'movement whereby another, as shownJor example, in Figs. 1,2 and -3, in such oppdsitei'gportions is provided Each oi the outwardly buigedportions 46 and 47 are interportions 43 and 49 which y l along side regions oi the member 45 substantially coextensive with and to the bulged portions for `promoting swinging movement of the adjacent parts of the limb covering in the forward and rearward' direction by flexure of the series oi bulged portions 46 and el over a substantial extent of the limb covering. The sidewalls t8 and 49, being restrained against outward bulging by virtue of their lesser fullness as compared to the bulged portions 46 and t? may in addition thereto function to restrain longitudinal separating movement of the adjacent parts ofthe limb covering. I'his arrangement relieves in a large measure the ilexible material of the tubular member of stresses in its surface in the longitudinal direction of the covering, thus appreciably increasing its ilexibility which facilitates the bending action of the a series of outward'bulges contiguous with one y and back bulged portions 4t I and 51 and are of lesser fullness as compared series of bulged portions throughout a much wider range andwith tainable with tion.

While a flexible joint constructed as described' hereinabove provides desirable flexibility of greater ease than 'is oba non-restrained sidewall construclmovement, we have found that1 maximum exibility of the iolnt and ease of movement throughout an extremely wide range is. made possible by j disposing circumferentially extending band elements Si? of flexible material between adjacent bulged portions it and el for restricting outward bulging of the tubular member vtionsand. for promoting swinging movement of the limb covering inthe forward and rearward direction by limiting flexure of the tubular meme ber to the series of bulged portions, and by dis posing'strip elements 5i and et?. of flexible material along the tubular member at the sidewall portions, preferably at the central region of such sidewall portions, for restraining longitudinal separating movement of the adjacent parts of the limb covering and for additionally restraining outward bulging oi such sidewall portions.

' The details of construction at the strip element 5i are more fully shown in Fig. 6. The construction at the strip element 52 at theiopbosite side to the bulged por' wan 'portion as ofthe joint is or similar construction.

While the tubular member may be a sleeve of suitable ilexible material, the member ls made desirably from a series of shaped pices 53, as

sleeve construction. .Each of the shaped pieces may be joined to one another by means of a suitable adhesive such, for example, as rubber cement, the adjacent margins being in overlapped relationship. s

The circumferentially extending band elements 50 may include one or more cords 54of cotton material, for example, and a fabric strip 55 havving a suitable impregnation or coating of rubberlike material, the cords andy fabric strips being adhered to the tubular-member by a suitable adhesive. The strip elements 5i and 52 maycomprise one or more tension elements 56 of cotton cord,for example, and a fabric covering strip 5l of suitable flexible material, the tension elements and fabric covering strip being adhered to the sidewall portions as shown especially in Fig. 6, by a suitable adhesive.. With this arrangement the strip elements El and 52 prevent longitudinal separating movement of the adjacent parts of the limb covering while alsov additionally restraining outward bulging of the sidewall portions. Each end 58, 59 of the tubular member may be attached to the upper and lower partsof the limb covering in any suitable manner such, for' example, as-

preferably in the manl6l) of each such coverings may be secured at the' upper margin thereof at the region of the shoulder to the respective annular rotatableconnectors 26, 2e in the'manner shown especially in Fig. 13 and described more fully hereinafter with respect to said Fig. 13, which arrangement makes possible full-circle relative rotating movement between the arm coverings and the torso covering through the turning movement of the rotatable connectors 26 26; while the lower margin of the upper part Se may be attached, for example by a suitable adhesive and clamping band @2, to a detachable connector structure Si preferably including rotatable means as shown especially in Fig. 15, which latter attachment is described more fully hereinafterl with respect to Fig. 15. The end 59, for example, of the tubular member l5 of the flexible joint comprising the elbow joint 2l, 23 may be attached to the connector structure di by a suitable adhesive and a clamping band 63. The other end et' of the member e5 ofthe flexible joint 2l, 2t may be joined to the lower part of the limb covering, vfor in various forward positions as may flexible joint for the the wearer to the ing the hand at the back of the torso covering or, for example, at the back of the neck, as well as drurtng manipulation of the controls of the airc vWith respect to the leg covering 24, 25,- the knee joint 29, 3B, which flexible joint may includethe tubular member Il having ends 58 and B9 may be attached to a lower part or foot covering extensions. as by a suitable adhesive and may be interconnected with an upper part including a hip covering Il, 32 by a detachable connector structure including rotatable means as shown in Fig. 15, but inasmuch as a lesser extent of relative rotation between the respective parts of the leg covering is required than that required of the arm covering. the deaired relative rotation may be provided by the give of the flexible wall material by virtue of which the flexible joint 29, 30 may be interconnected with the hip covering Il, 22 by a detach-v able connector structure 58 shown especially in Fig. 14. The attachment of the tubular member l! of the knee joint 29, I to the connector structure Il or, if more extensive relative rotative movement is desired, to the connector structure Ii is described more fully hereinafter with respect to Figs. 14 and 15.

be. required 6 During such swinging and 32h and for facilitating and promoting swinging movement oi the leg ,portion in the forward and rearward direction by limiting ilexure of the hip coverings to these outwardly bulged portions. movement the bulging of the portions 3io and Sib and 32a and 32h is of lesser extent in some parts thereof than in other parts.

In order to restrain llongitudinal separating l0 movement of the lower portion of the'legcoverlo tinuously along the the respective leg 25 sleeve structure `i I8 For providing flexible swinging movement in the forward and rearward direction between the leg covering 2Q, 2i andthe torso covering 2l, hip coverings 3|, 32, arranged as shown in Fig. 1, flexibly interconnect the lower part of the leg covering including the flexible joint 29. 3,0 with the torso covering. As shown especially in Figs. 11 and 12, each hip covering 3i, 32 ofpsuitable exible material includes a series of outwardly bulged substantially yannular portions 3io, 32a, tapering from the outer region 61u of the hip of inner region 61 at the central junction of the-leg coverings 2l, 25 and the torso covering 2l and may include a series of substantially uniform ring portions which provide action of the hip covering with the tapered annular covering is arranged conditions a position Sib. 32h, also outwardly bulged additional flexibility in bending through cooperation portions. Each hip intermediate a position 6B at right angles to the torso covering and a position 6I along the longitudinal axis of the torso covering, whereby the leg coverings 24, 25 including the hip coverings pivot substantially at the pivotal axis of the hips of the wearer for swinging movement in the forward and rearward direction relative to the torso covering while preventing undue bulging and bending of the' torso covering 2l especially at the front wall portion' thereof intermediate the leg coverings. If desired, the hip covering may be provided with restrained sidewall portions as shown in Fig. 1, andfor such a construction the hip covering is provided with strip elements lo and 52a adhered by the rubber so as to be attached thereto along the sidewalls for further restraining the sidewalls and for preventing longitudinal separating movement of the knee joint and the torso covering, each strip element Bia'being also attached to the torso by a fastening patch Sib of suitable fabric and a suitable adhesive. Band elements and 1I of suitable flexible material are disposed circumferentially between adjacent outwardly bulged Sib, 32a and 32h for restricting the outward bulging of the hip covering to such 1 a fino mrtimis 3io and 3lb and 32a longitudinal and circumferential Fig. 14. The strap element 12 is in :i5 covering and with ing with respect to the torso covering at the inner region of the hip coverings 3i, 32, a strap element 12 of suitable flexible material such, for example, as a woven fabric tape,

at such inner region and extends continuously between and is attached only at the respectivel lower margins 3io and 32e of the hip coverings, as shown especially in Figs. l1 and l2. There- 20 spective ends of the strap 12 may be attached to the detachable connector structures 66, '8B for coverings 24,'V 25 b'y a looped arrangement thereof extending through one of diametrically opposite slotted apertures Hlv in a of each of such connector structures 66, 66 and the overlapping looped portions of said ends of the strap adjacent the sleeve structure lit may be sewed together along their vmargins at |42 in the manner shown in 4 sliding enthe wall of the suit at the central '61 of the hip coverings 8|, 32

2i, and when the hip coverings are flexed or bent with respect to the torso respect to each other, for example. when the hip covering 32 is flexed to the position 68 and the hip covering 3i is flexed to the position 89, such sliding engagement coinpensates for the extension and contraction of gagement with junction` region and the torso covering the respective hip coverings duringvsuch flexure.

to assume under inflation separating movement sion member 13, 1

However, since the strap element 12 is disposed at-the inner region of the hip coverings, it is desirable to provide a compensating ten- 4 inside the suit at the outer region at 61a of each of the hip coverings and extending from the lower .portion of the torso covering 2i to the lower margins 3io and 32o of the hip coverings for additionally restraining respect to the torso covering. For the construction shown especially in Figs. 11 and 12, each tension member 1I, 14 includes strip elements 15, 18 and 11 of flexible material such as woven fabric tape arranged in a forked arrangement, the junction ofwhich is preferably pom- 'ti'oned at substantially the pivotal axis of the hip of the wearer and the respective remote `ends oi the strip elements suitably secured to the torso covering 2l and secured at the respective lower margins Sic and 32e to the detachable connector structures 86 as by the slotted aperture and looped arrangement described hereinabove for the ends of the strap 12, whereby these strip elements cooperate in withstanding the tension load under inflation conditions when the hip covering isbentv forwardly and rearwardly relative tothe torso covering. These strip elements at the junction thereof may be attached as by end loops Vin sliding engagement with a swivel ring 18 of stiff material such, for example, as steel. to facilitate the cooperation of the respective strip elements 15, 16 and 11 during such bending movement.

Each strip element 15 may be attached at its remote end to a connector structure BB as deextends conhip coverings inside the suit of the leg coverings with scribed hereinabove and shown especially in Fig.

14. Each strip element 'i7 may be secured at its remote end as by a suitable adhesive to the front wall of the torso covering and the strlpelement 1S, which may extend continuously between the swivel rings 'I8 of the respective compensating tension members la, 'M and along the back wall of the torso covering as shown especially in Figs. 11 and 12, may Ibe, attached-to an intermediate portion of such back wall as by a suitable adhesive. A portion of the strip elements i6 and 1l, adjacent the swivel ring 18 are not secured to the torso covering but are free for relative movethe annular ring element B0. A snubbing action upon the torso covering adjacent the neck results from the reverse bend of the flexible material which action restricts spreading movement of the respective rotatable connectors while preventing upward movement of the headpiece 3E.'

An annular element 90, generally trapezoidal in section, may be attached as by a suitable adlhesive to the margin of the neck aperture in the ment with respect to each other and to 'the strip element 15, whereby desirable cooperation is se-l cured between such elements. When the hip covering 32 is in the position B8, the strip elements and i6 cooperate in withstanding the tension stresses; when the covering 32 is in the intermediate position, as shown especially in Fig. 12, the elements le, l1 mutually cooperate with the strip element 15; and when the covering 32 is in the position 69 the strip elements 'l5 and '|7- cooperate in withstanding the tension load. Such an arrangement of the hip coverings as described hereinabove facilitates flexing of the leg coverings at the region of the hips while preventing objectionable bulging of the torsocovering which bulging denitely restricts freedom of .movement by the wearer, especially when in a sitting position.

We have found that such an arrangement of `hip coverings and flexible joints at the knees, vdescribed hereinabove, cooperate eiectively in providing maximum free iiexible swinging movement of the legs relative to the torso covering without undue expenditure of human energy despite the internal pressure-therein. The rubber and fabric parts of the suit are united integrally by vulcanization.

In the shoulder joint 26, illustrated in Fig. 13, the torso covering 2| may be adhered and sealed to the exterior surface of an annular ring element by means of rubber cement, for example, and securedy rmly in place thereto by a suitable clamping band or strap 8|, the annular ring element having an inwardly extending ange to provide for a Ibearing race element 82. In like manner'the upper part S0 of the arm covering 22, 23.

may be secured by means of a strap 8d and by cementing to an annular element 83 having an outwardly extending flange to provide for a bearing race element 85 in overlapping relation with the other bearing element 82. The annular elements 86 and ed are maintained in assembled relationship .fby means of a metal snap ring or retainerelement 86 seating in an annular recess Bl in the interior surface of the element 80 adjacent the bearing element B and by means of a rubber sealing ring'e including a metal insert 39 which, as shown in Fig. 13, limits .movement of the element 83 including the bearing race element 85 toward the sealing ring 88, the sealing I ring having a face contiguous with the retainer element 86 and having an, inwardly extending flange portion contiguous with the flange portion of the annular element 03 to provide an air seal.

For'the arrangement of the torso covering 2| torso covering, which annular element is disposed in an annular l grooveY in a suitable neck ring structure 9|. The torso covering 2| including the annular element 00 vmay be secured detachably to the neck ring, 9| by means of a suitable clamping band 92 which band 92 may be sheathed in a suitable fabric'cover 93 adhered'to the torso covering. The head piece 35 may be detachably engaged with the neck ring 0| in any suitable man ner, such, for example, as shown in the copending application oi Carrol1 P. Krupp, Serial No. 453,-

175, illed August l, 1942. For separating the space in the head piece from the space in the inatable suit to aid in preventing fogging of the headpiece, a suitable diaphragm of resilient rubber-like material having an aperture for the head may be provided and may be attached to the neck ring 9| by a suitable adhesive .and a metal ring 95, which metal ring may be held in place by a plurality of spaced-apart screws 96.

For providing relative rotating movement between the upper part 60 of the arm covering 22, 23 and the ilexible joint 2l, 28, and for interconnecting the same a detachable connectorv structure 6| shown especially in Fig. 15 may be used. A structure identical with structure 0| may be used for interconnecting the knee joint 29, 30 and the hip covering 3i, 32 `to provide extensive relative rotating movement between such knee joint and hip covering. The connector 6| includes a sleeve structure |00 to which may be secured` the end 59, for example, of the tubular member et of the ilexible joint 27, 20 by means of a suitable adhesive and a clamping band 68, which structure includes a bearing race |0| at the outer face thereof intermediate the ends of the structure |00 providing an extension |02, The sleeve structure |00 also includes a ring element w3 mounted at the outer yface thereof and overlapping 'the' bearingrace lill, which element includes a bearing race ltd adjacent and in register with the bearing race lei. A plurality of rotatable elements |05 is disposed between the bearing races for providing relative full-circlev rotation therebetween and for securing the element |03 to the structure |08.

The lower margin of upper part 60 of the arm covering may be secured to a second sleeve structure |08 by a suitable adhesive and the clamping band 62, the structure |06 being in telescopic engagementat the extension |02 of the sleeve structure |00 and in overlapping relation with the latter structure. Where the detachable connector structure di is to be used at the knee joint 29, 30, the attachment of the strap 'it and the element 'i5 of the compensating tensionl member 7?, 'It to the sleeve |06 maybe made in the manner shown in Fig. 14 at the sleeve H8. The second structure |06 is also provided with a depression l0l adjacent the face of the ring elementl |03 opposite the bearing race |04 and 4in register with a depression |08 in the element |03. An expansible-.contractible annular member |03 is .disposed in these depressions |01 and |08 between the element |03 and the structure |06 for detachably engaging the. sleeve structure 6| (Fig.

.rotation i region through flexure of is provided with a sealing lip ||3 which engages the extension |02 of the structure |00, thereby preventing air leakage through theconnector structure 8| Since extensive relative rotating movement between the flexible joint 23 and 30 and the 'hip covering 3| and 32 is not required for providing the desired freedom of movement, the detachable connector structure 68, as shown especially in Fig. 14, may be used for interconnecting'these parts of the suit; although the connector strucmay be used, if desired, for providing such extensive relative rotating movement. The end 59 (Fig. 14) for example, of the tubular member I5 of the exible joint for the knee may be secured to a sleeve structure I I5 as by a suitable adhesive and the clamping band 83, which structure includes a depressed portion IIB at the outer face and intermediate the vends of the structure providing, an extension H1. The lower margin 3Ic, 32e of the hip covering 3|, 32 may be secured to a second sleeve structure ||8 as by a suitable adhesive and the clamping band 52, which structure is in telescopic engagement with the structure ||5 at the 'extension ||1 and in overlapping relation with the structure I5.

The second sleeve structure |18 includes a depressed portion ||9 at the inner face and in register with the depressed portion i0. An expansivble-contractible annular member |20 is disposed in the depressed portions ||6 and ||3 for detachably engaging the structures ||5 and H8. sealing ring |2| of suitable rubber-like material is disposed between the structures ||5 and ||3 at the extension ||1 and is disposed in an annular depression |22, which may be dove-tailed in section, in the structure H8. The sealing ring |2| may be held in the depression |22 by pressure of the material against the walls thereof and by a metal snap ring |23. The ring |2| is provided with a sealing lip |24 engaging the extension ||1 for preventing air leakage through the detachable connector structure 68.

Normal use of the inflatable suit shown in Fig. 1 requires frequently the raising .and lowering of the arm in combination with bending of the elbow of the wearer. In operation `under such a condition each arm covering 22, 23 may be freely raised or lowered by means of relative full-circle between-the arm covering and the torso covering 2| through the turning movement of the rotatable connector 25. Extensive andfree ilexible bending at the elbow is permitted by the fiexlble joint 21, 23, which bending in the forward and rearward direction is attained through exure of the series of outwardly bulged portions as described hereinabove while the hi'p covering facilitates free movement at the region of the hips through the pivoting action thereof at substantially the pivotal axis of the hip of the wearer. The outwardly bulged annular portions 32a and 32h 'ofthe hip covering 3'2 flex substantially throughout their length circumferentially and longitudinally, while the strap ele- -ment 12 being in sliding engagement with-the wall of thesuit at the central junction 61 of the torso 2| and the leg coverings 2l, 25 compensates for variation in hip covering length at the inner region thereof and cooperates with the compensating tension member 14 in preventing longitudinal separating'l movement of the torso covering and the lower portions of the leg coverings. With the leg covering 25 in the position shown in Fig. 1 the tension load stresses are taken by the strip elements 15 and 15. of the tension member 14 disposed in the hip covering 32, which arrangement also prevents longitudinal separating movement of the leg portion 25 and the torso portion 2| at e covering 32.

sirable to provide a flexible joint |25 intermediate the upper and lower parts of the limb coverings .which extends substantially the full length ofV the limb coverings and which is arranged to tend to assume a bent condition conforming to the natural curve of the arm or leg of the wearer when,

the'series of outwardly bulged portions along a wearer in providing extensive and free flexible leg coverings 24, .25. for example, is ,bent

swinging movement of the When the leg covering 25, in the manner shown in Fig. 30 at the knee provides extensive bending at` this outward bulging of for example, the wearer is seated and manipulating the controls of the aircraft.

The flexible joint |25 shown cially adapted for such use and is shown as applied to the arm covering which covering includes an upper part |26, a lower part or glove |21 and the flexible joint |25. This flexible joint comprises a tubular member comprising flexible material such, for example, as square-woven fabric impregnated or coated with resilient rubber or other rubber-like material and lhaving substantial fullness at spaced-apart positions along the tubular member in opposite portions in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement for providing a series of outward bulges |28, |29 in the opposite portions. Sidewall portions |30, |3|, each of similar construction at opposite sides of the joint |25, interconnect such bulged portions and are restrained from outward bulging as compared to the bulged portions |23, |23 to promote swinging movement of the upper |26 and lower |21 parts of the arm covering in the forward and rearward direction by flexure of the series of bulged portions over a substantial extent of the arm covering. For restricting outward bulging of the tubular member to the bulged portions and for additionally restraining the sidewall portions, band elements |32 of suitable flexible material are disposed circumferentially between adjacent bulged portions of the tubular member. These band elements |32 each, desirably, include one or more cords of cotton material, for example, and a suit- 1 the flexible joint' able fabric covering strip, the cords and covering strip being adhered to the -wall of the tubular member as by a suitable adhesive.

For further restraining outward bulging of the the outer region of the hip` in Fig. 7 is espei sidewall portions and for restraining longitudinal separating movement oi' the upper and lower parts of the arm covering, tension elements |33, it of flexible material such, for example, as twine extend along the tubular member at the sidewall portions. For maintaining the bent position of the flexible joint under inilation conditions the tension elements extend along the tubular member at a determinate distance from the longitudinal axis thereof and are spaced from the sidewall portions. The details of construction at the tension element |33 are shown especially in Figs. 7 to 10 and the construction at the tension element ist at the opposite sidewall portion of the joint is of similar construction. These tension elements are supported in the desired position by means of ilexible hinge structures i35 including ring elements |38 which structures are attached to the sidewall portions at substantially the respective central regions longitudinally thereof as shown especially in Fig. 7.. Each flexible hinge structure |35 includes an attaching.

is maintained under ini'lation of the `suit and joint and means restraining longitudinal sepa-'1 rating movement of said adjacent parts ofthe limb covering and restraining outward bulging of said sidewall portions,

2. An inilatable suit including a torso portion and an arm portion for-increasing aL body projvidingl -free flexible movement of the arm,

isaidportions comprising a torso covering, of

.-ness at spaced-apart`v positions along said strucpatch i3l of suitable woven fabric which is ad- .l

hered to the sidewall by a suitable adhesive and a hinged portion E38 also of suitable woven fabric .which is adhered in a similar manner to the attaching patch itl, which hinge portion i3@ includes the ring element ist. The tension elefments 38 and i3d extend through the ring elements 35 of the flexible hinged structures, as shown especially in Figs. 9.and 10, and being spaced from the sidewall portionsby the hinged portions i3d, ilexure of the hinged structures is thereby facilitated during the swinging movement of the ilexible joint. During such swing'- ing movement the hinge portion H38 may assume several positions in coaction with the tension element such, for example, as positions E39 and itil, as shown by the broken lines in Figs. 9 and 10. The arrangement of the flexible joint i provides for free ilexible movement of the adjacent parts of the limb covering in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement, the respective components thereof cooperating with one another in obtaining this result.

Variations may be made without departing from the scope of the inven on as it is defined in the following claims.

We claim:

l. An inflatable suit including a torso portion and a limb portion for incasing a body and providing free flexible movement of the limb, said portions comprising a torso covering of flexible wall material and a limb covering of flexible wall material including a flexible joint intermediate the length of'said limb covering and interconnecting adjacent parts of vthe latter covering to provide for forward and rearward bending there? of, said'ilexi-ble joint comprising a tubular structure comprising flexible material having *substantial fullnessat spaced-apart positions along said structure in opposite front and back portions in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement to provide a series of outward bulges in said opposite front and back portions and having sidewall portions extending longitudinally along side regions of said tubular structure coextensive with the front and .back bulged portions and between and interconnecting such bulged portions and being of lesser fullness as compared to said bulged portions to promote swinging move'- ment of said adjacent parts of said limb covering in said direction by flexure of said series of bulged portions over a substantial extent of said limb covering while lateral compactness of the joint -ture in OpDOSlte'ir'ont and backportions to provide a series of outward bulges in the direction of forward-'and rearward swinging movement, said 'bulges being contiguous with one another in each of said opposite portions, and having sidewall portions extending longitudinally along-side regions of said tubular structure coextensive with the front and back bulged portions and between and interconnecting such bulged portions and being of lesser fullness and substantially restrained from outward bulging as compared to said bulged portions to promote swinging movement of addacent parts of said arm covering in said kdirectionv .by lexure of said series of bulged portions over a substantial extent of vsaid arm covering while lateral compactnessof the joint is maintained under in ilation of the suit andjoint, and means restraining longitudinal separating movement of adjacent parts of the arm covering and restraining outward bulging of said sidewall portions.

3. An inilatable suit including a torso portion and a limb portion for incasing. a body providing free ilexible movement of the limb, said portions comprising a torso covering 'of flexible wall material and a limb covering of flexiblewall materia'l including an upper part. a lower part, a lflexible joint intermediate said parts, and adetachable connector structure' interconnecting said teria] having substantial fullness at spaced-apart positions along said member in opposite front and back portions to provide a series of outward bulges in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement, said bulges being contiguous with oneanother in each of said opposite portions, and said tubular member having sidewall portions extending longitudinally along side regions of'said tubular member coextensive with the front and back bulgedportions and between and interconnecting such bulged portions and being of lesser fullness and substantially restrained from outward bulging as compared to said bulged portions to promote swinging movement of said upper and lower parts ofthe limb covering in said direction by ilexure of said series of bulged portions over a. substantial extent of said limb covering while lateral compactness of the joint is maintained under inflation of the suit and joint, means disposed oircumierentially of said tubular member between adjacent bulged portions for` restricting bulging to the latter said portions, and means comprising strip elements of flexible material extending along said tubular member at said sidewall portions for restraining longitudisubstantially annular contiguous portions for restraining longitudine margin and cOmDl compensating tension nal separating movement of said upper and lower parts and for additionally restraining outward bulging of said sidewall portions. w

4. An inflatable suit as defined in claim 3 in which said detachable connector structure includes rotatable means providing substantially full-circle relative rotating movement between said flexible joint and said upper part of the limb covering; t i i a 5. An inflatable suit including a torso portion and a legrv portion for incasing a body providing substantially free flexible movement of` the leg, said portions comprising a torso covering of flexible wall material and a leg covering including a. hip covering of flexible wall material, said hip covering comprising a series of outwardly bulged each tapering from the outer region of the hip to the inner region thereof at the central junction of the leg covering andthe torso covering, means disposed circumferentiall, betweenadjacent annular portions for restraining ou said hip covering to said annular portions and for promoting swinging movement of the leg covering in a forward and 'rearward direction by limiting flexure of said hip covering to said annular portions, and means at said hip covering l separatingmovement of said torso and said leg coverings and for promoting flexure of said hip covering at substantially the pivotal axis of the hip of the wearer.

6. An inflatable suit comprising a torso covering of flexible wall material, a pair of leg coverings each including an upper part of flexible wall material, each said upper part having a lower ising a hip covering comprising a series of outwardly bulged substantially annular portions tapering from the outer region of the hip to the inner region thereof at the central junction of the leg covering and the torso covering, band elements of flexible material disposed circumferentially between adjacent annular por tions for restricting outward bulging of'sald hip covering to said annular portions and for promoting swinging movement of the leg covering in a forward and rearward direction by limiting flexure of said hip covering to said annular portions,

and means for restraining longitudinal separating movement of said leg coverings and said torso covering, said means comprising a strap element of flexible material extending continuously along said upper parts of the leg coverings inside said suit at the inner region of said leg coverings and extending between the respective said lower margins of said upper parts, said str'ap element being in sliding engagement with said wail material at substantially the central junction of said leg coverings and said torso covering for permitting ad- Justing the length of said upper parts during swinging movement of said leg coverings in said direction and said means comprising a. pair of members, each said tension member being disposed inside said suit at the outer region of each of said leg coverings and extending from said torso covering to said lower margin of said upper part of the leg covering along said hip covering and each said tension member comprising strip elements of flexible material arranged in a forked arrangement, the junction of which being positioned at substantially the pivotal axis of the hip of the wearer and the remote ends of said strip elements being secured to said torso covering and said lower margin of said upper part whereby said strip elements cooperate in withstanding the tension load 'under tward bulging of inflation conditions when the leg covering is bent forwardly and rearwardly relativeV to the torso covering. i '1. An in ing of. flexible wall material Vand a pair of' leg coverings including hip coverings of flexible wall material arranged to assume under inflation conditions a position intermediate a position at right angles to said torsocovering and a position along l0 the longitudinal axis of said torso covering and said leg coverings being arranged for swinging` movement in a forward and rearward direction relative to said torso covering by pivoting substantially at the pivotal axis of the hips of the wearer whereby unduev bending and bulging of the torso covering is prevented, each of said hip coverings having a lower margin and comprising a series of outwardly bulged substantially annular contiguous portions each tapering from the outer region of the hip to the inner region thereof at the central junction of the leg covering and the torso covering, means disposed circumferentially between adjacent annular portions for restricting outward bulging of said hip coverings to said annular portions and for promoting swinging movement of the leg coverings in said direction by limiting tlexure of said hip coverings to said annular portions. parts of said annular portions bulging to a lesser extent than other parts thereof during said swinging'movement of theleg coverings, and means atthe inner and outer regions of each of said leg coverings and extending from said torso covering to each said lower margin of said hip coverings for restraining longitudinal separating movement ing and said leg coverings and for promoting flexure of said hip coverings at substantially 'the pivotal axis of the hips of the wearer.

8. An inilatable suit comprising a torso covering of flexible wall material and 'a pair of leg coverings of flexible wall material arranged to assume under inflation conditions a, position intermediate a position at right yangles to said torso covering and 'a position along the longitudinal axis of said torso covering, each said leg covering comprising an upper part having a lower margin.

a lower part and a flexible joint intermediate said upper and lower parts and detachably secured to said'lower margin for providing relative swinging movement in a forward and direction between the latter said parts, said upper part including a hip covering comprising a series ofoutwardly bulged substantially annular portions tapering from the outer region of the hip to theinner region thereof at the central junction of the leg covering and the torso covering, band elements of flexible material disposed circumferentially between adjacent annular p0rtions for restricting outward bulging of said hip do covering to said annulan portions and for profmoting swinging moveme said directionby eringto4 said annular portions, and means extending from said torso covering to said lower margins along sai-l hip coverings for restraining longitudinal separating movement of said torso and said leg coverings and for promoting ilexure of said hip cove pivotal axis of the hips of the wearer, said ilexlble joint comprising a tubular member comprising flexible material having 'substantial fullness at spaced-apart positions along said member in opposite front and back portions in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement to provide a series of outward bulges in said oppo- Yatiabie suit comprising a torso coverof said torso cover.

rearward nt ofthe legcoverlng in v limiting flexure of said hip covt rings at substantially thev of the leg covering in said dir said series of bulged portions over? a substantial extent of said leg covering `whilelateral compactness of the joint is maintained zunderiniiation of the suit and joint, means restraining longitudinal separating movement of the ad-jacent;v parts of the leg covering and restraining' outwardl bulging ofjsaid sidewall portions, and adetachableiffconnector structure interconnecting saidiuxtubular member to said lower marginof said upper .part of the leg covering.

9. A flexible joint for connecting adjacentlparts of a limb covering of an'inilatable high-altitude suit for maintaining the wearerv under air-pressure substantially greater than the surrounding air pressure while providing for relative swing-.- ing movement of said parts forwardly and-rearwardly, said joint comprising a tubular member comprising flexible material having substantial fullness at spaced-apart positions along said member in opposite front and back portions in the direction oi. forward and rearward swinging movement to provide a series of outward vbiilges in said opposite portions, said bulges being contiguous with one another in each of said .opposite portions, and said tubular member' having sidewall portions extending longitudinally along side regions of said member coextensive with the front and back bulged portions and between and interconnecting such bulged portions andV being of lesser fullness as compared to said bulged portions to promote swinging movement of said adjacent parts in said direction by ilexure of said series of bulged portions over a substantial extent of said covering while lateral compactness of the joint is maintained under inflation of the suit and joint, band elements of flexible material disposed circumferentially between adjacent bulged por- .tions for restricting bulging of said member to said bulged portions'and for restraining outward bulging of said sidewall portions, flexible hinge structures including ring elements attached to said sidewall portions between said band elements at substantiallyv thev respective central regionsl longitudinally of said sidewall portions and oppositely disposed along said tubular member at a determinate distance from the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, and tension elements of exible material for restraining longitudinal separatingl movement of said adjacent parts and for restraining outward bulging of said sidewall portions, said tension elements extending along said tubular member through said ring elements at and spaced from said sidewall .portions for permitting flexing of said hinge structures-during said swinging movemenasaid tubular member tending to assume a bent position under inflation conditions by virtue of the arrangement and co, operation of said hinge structures and said tension elements. l

10. A joint for connecting adjacent parts of an 18 said element having a bearing race adjacent and in register with the first said bearing race and having a. depression in a face thereof opposite the second said bearing race, and rotatable elements disposed in 'said bearing races for securing said ring element to-said sleeve structure and for lproviding relative full-circle rotation between said ring element and said structure, a second sleeve structure secured to the other of said parts contracted inwardly relative to said sleeve structures Afordetachably engaging said structures,

andsealing means between said structures at said extension.

l1. A flexible joint for connecting adjacent parts of an inflatable high-altitude suit for maintaining the wearer under air pressure substantially greater than the surrounding air pressure while providing for relative swingingmovement of said parts forwardly and rearwardly, said joint comprising a tubular member comprising flexible material having substantial fullness at Yspacedy apart' positions along said member in opposite front` andback portions in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement to provide a series of outward bulges in the front and back portions, said bulges being contiguous with one another in each of said front and back portions, and said tubular member having sidewall portions extending longitudinally along side e regions of said member coextensive with the front and back bulged portions and between and interconnecting such bulged portions and being of lesser fullness and substantially restrained against loutward bulging as compared to said inflatable suit for relative rotating movement of bulged portions to promote swinging movement of said adjacent parts in said direction by fiexure of said series of bulged portions while lateral compactness of the joint is maintained under infiation of the suit and joint, said side walls restraining longitudinal separating movement of said adjacent parts.

12. A flexible joint for connecting adjacentV parts of an inflatable high-altitude suit for maintaining the wearer under air pressure substantially greater than the surrounding air pressure while providing for relative swinging movement of said parts forwardly and rearwardly, said joint comprising a tubular member comprising ilexible material having substantial fullness at spacedapart positions along said member in opposite front and back portions in the direction of forward and rearward swinging movement to provide Y a-series of outward bulges in the front and back portions, said bulges being-contiguous with one another in each of said front and back portions, and said tubular member having sidewall portions extending longitudinally along side regions of said member coextensive with the front and back bulged portions and between and interconnecting such bulged portions and being of lesser fullness and substantially restrained against outward bulging as compared to said bulgedliiortions` to promote swinging movement of said adjacent parts in said direction by exure of said series of bulged portions while lateral compactness of the joint is maintained under inflation. ofthe suit and joint, and means including restraining means at said sidewall portions for restraining.

longitudinal separating movement of said adiacent parts and 'outward bulging of said sidewall portions and for coniinlng bulging of said member to said bulged portions.

13, A nexime Joint for connecting adjacent parts of an inflatable high-altitude suit for mainanother in each of said front `and back portions,

and said tubular member having' sidewall portions extending longitudinally along side regions v of said member coextensive with the front and baci bulged portions and between and interconnecting such bulged portions and being'of lesser fullness and substantially restrained against outward bulging as compared to said bulged portions to promote swinging movement of said adjacent parts in said direction by nexure of said series of bulged portions while lateral compactness of the joint is maintained under inflation of the suit and joint, band elementsy of flexible material disposed circumferentiaily of said tubular member between adjacent bulged portions tor confining bulging of Y said member to said bulged portions and for restraining outward bulgingv of said sidewall portions. and strip elements of ilexible material extending along said tubuiar member at said sidewall portions and secured directly thereto for restraining longitudinal separating movement oi said adjacent parts and for additionally restraining outward bulging of said sidewall portions. RUSSELL S. COLLEY. CARROLL P. KRUPP. DONALD H. SHOCK.

Certificate of Correction Patent N o. 2,410,632. November 5, 1946.

RUSSELL S. COLLEY ET AL. It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 14, line 7, claim 2, for increasing read incasing; column 15, line 22, claim 5, for restraining read restricting; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of March, A. D. 1947.

LESLIE FRAZER.,

First Assistant C'ommissioneiI of Patents. 

